Combustor liner for a gas turbine engine and an associated method thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for regulating jet wakes in a combustor including: directing compressed fluid into a passageway between a casing and a combustor liner; directing a combustion gas along a combustion zone; discharging a first portion of compressed fluid from the passageway into the combustion zone via a first through-hole which is disposed on a section of a combustor panel in a first circumferential row; and discharging a second portion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into the combustion zone via second through-holes, wherein the second through-holes are disposed on a section of the panel, spaced apart axially and circumferentially, and adjacent to the first through-hole, wherein the second through-holes include a first set of through-holes and a second set of through-holes, the first set of through-holes in a second row and the second set of through-holes in a third row, wherein the second and third rows extend circumferentially.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to combustors, and morespecifically to a combustor liner and associated methods for regulatingjet wakes in the combustors.

Gas turbine engines include a compressor for compressing air, which islater mixed with fuel and channeled to a combustor where the mixture ofthe fuel and air is ignited for generating hot combustion gas. Acombustor includes a combustor liner for directing the combustion gas toa turbine, which extracts energy from the combustion gas for poweringthe compressor as well as producing useful work, for example, to propelan aircraft. The combustor liner typically includes a plurality ofpanels that are coupled to each other to define a combustion chambertherebetween the plurality of panels. Each of the plurality of panelsincludes a plurality of openings to inject the compressed air into thecombustion chamber for facilitating oxidation of unburnt fuel in thecombustion gas in the combustion chamber. The injection of thecompressed air from the plurality of openings into the combustionchamber may form a low-pressure area behind each of the plurality ofopenings. Thus, resulting in drawing the hot combustion gas into thelow-pressure area, thereby leaving jet wakes on the panel behind each ofthe plurality of openings. The jet wakes may result in producing hotspots on the panel and NOx producing zones. Further, the hot spots mayincrease temperature of the combustion chamber, thus reducing servicelife of the combustor liner. Further, the increase in temperature of thecombustion chamber may also lead to increase in NOx emissions.Accordingly, there is a need for an improved combustor and an associatedmethod for regulating jet wakes in the combustor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one example embodiment, a method for regulating jetwakes in a combustor includes: directing a portion of a compressed fluidfrom a compressor into a passageway defined between a casing and acombustor liner of the combustor; directing a combustion gas along anannular combustion zone defined by a panel of the combustor liner;discharging a first sub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluidfrom the passageway into the annular combustion zone via at least onefirst through-hole to aid in further combustion of an unburned portionof the combustion gas, wherein the at least one first through-hole isdisposed on at least a section of the panel in a first row extendingalong a circumferential direction; and discharging a second sub-portionof the portion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into theannular combustion zone via a plurality of second through-holes todistribute the second sub-portion around a circumferential plane of thesection of the panel collectively covered by the at least one firstthrough-hole and the plurality of second through-holes, and purging outthe jet wakes, wherein the plurality of second through-holes is disposedon the section of the panel, spaced apart from each other along an axialdirection and the circumferential direction, and arranged adjacent tothe at least one first through-hole, wherein the plurality of secondthrough-holes comprises a first set of through-holes and a second set ofthrough-holes, wherein the first set of through-holes is arranged in asecond row and the second set of through-holes is arranged in a thirdrow different from the second row, and wherein the second and third rowsextend along the circumferential direction.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, and aspects of embodiments of the disclosurewill become better understood when the following detailed description isread with reference to the accompanying drawings in which likecharacters represent like parts throughout the drawings, unlessspecifically recited otherwise, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine engine in accordance withone example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the combustorin accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a section of a panel in accordance withone example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a section of a panel in accordance withanother example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a computational fluid dynamicssimulation depicting a fluid flow pattern along the section of the panelin accordance with the example embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a section of a panel in accordance withyet another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a section of a panel in accordance withyet another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a section of a panel in accordance withyet another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting a temperature profile along aconventional panel.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram depicting a temperature profile along apanel in accordance with one example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for regulating jet wakesin a combustor in accordance with one example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To more clearly and concisely describe and point out the subject matter,the following definitions are provided for specific terms, which areused throughout the following description and the appended claims,unless specifically denoted otherwise with respect to a particularembodiment. The term “circumferential plane” as used in the contextrefers to an inner surface of a panel of a combustor liner, extendedalong a circumferential direction of a gas turbine engine. The term“through-hole” as used in the context refers to a hole extending betweenthe outer and inner surfaces of a panel of the combustor. The term“overlap” as used in the context refers to the extension of one objectover another object. For example, a reference of a second rowoverlapping with a first row means that the second row extends over thefirst row. The term “through-hole(s) disposed in a row on a panel” asused in the context refers to positioning of the through-hole(s) on thepanel such that the row encompasses the through-hole(s) positioned onthe panel. For example, when two or more circular through-holes aredisposed in a row on a panel, the width of the row is slightly more thanthe diameter of the largest circular through-hole such that the rowencompasses all the circular through-holes. The term “major axis of athrough-hole” as used in the context refers to a longer axis of athrough-hole, for example, longer axis of an elliptical through-hole ora race-track through-hole, passing through its foci. Similarly, the term“minor axis of a through-hole” as used in the context refers to ashorter axis of a through-hole such as shorter axis of an ellipticalthrough-hole or a race-track through-hole, which is perpendicular to itsmajor axis. The term “around a circumferential plane” as used in thecontext refers to encircling the circumferential plane. The term“section of a panel” as used in the context refers to a portion of thepanel. The section of a panel may extend up to 360 degrees along thecircumferential direction or circumferentially. For example, in someembodiments, “a section of the panel” may refer to a portion of thepanel extended circumferentially in a range from 5 degrees to 10degrees. In some other embodiments, when the section of the annularpanel is extended to 360 degrees, it is constituted, and referred as,the “entire panel”. The term “operatively coupled” as used in thecontext refers to connecting at least two components to each other suchthat they function together in a mutually compatible manner to performan intended operation. For example, a compressor may be connected to acombustor via a diffuser assembly such that the diffuser assemblydirects the compressed fluid discharged from the compressor to thecombustor via the diffuser assembly. The term “hydraulic diameter” asused in the context refers to ratio of area of a component to four timesa perimeter of the component.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discussed herein relate to acombustor liner for a combustor deployed in a turbomachine, such as agas turbine engine. The combustor liner includes a panel, at least onefirst through-hole, and a plurality of second through-holes. The panelis an annular combustion chamber defining an annular combustion zone ofthe combustor. The at least one first through-hole is disposed on asection of the panel in a first row extending along the circumferentialdirection of the gas turbine engine. The plurality of secondthrough-holes is disposed on the section of the panel, spaced apart fromeach other along the circumferential direction and an axial direction ofthe gas turbine engine, and arranged adjacent to the at least one firstthrough-hole. In some embodiments, the plurality of second through-holesincludes a first set of through-holes and a second set of through-holes.The first set of through-holes is arranged in a second row and thesecond set of through-holes is arranged in a third row different fromthe second row. The second and third set of through-holes are spacedapart from each other along the axial direction of the gas turbineengine. Further, the first and second set of through-holes may havecharacteristics, for example, shape, size, orientation and the like,that are mutually exclusive from one another. The second and third rowsextend along the circumferential direction. Further, the at least onefirst through-hole and the plurality of second through-holes areconfigured to collectively cover a circumferential plane of the sectionof the panel along the first, second, and third rows. It should be notedherein that the term “configured to collectively cover a circumferentialplane” as used in the context herein refers to “arrangement” of the atleast one first through-hole and the plurality of second through-holeson the section of the panel or on an entire panel, in one or morepredefined ways as discussed herein, to cover the circumferential planeof the section of the panel or the entire panel respectively. In someembodiments, the second row overlaps with the first row. In other words,the second row circumferentially overlaps the first row. In some otherembodiments, at least one of the second row or the third row partiallyoverlaps with the first row. In some example embodiments, a distance,for example an axial distance and/or a circumferential distance betweenthe at least one first through-hole and the mutually adjacent secondthrough-hole of the plurality of second through-holes is greater than0.08 inches. It should be noted herein that the term “circumferentialdistance” may refer to distance measured along the circumferentialdirection of gas turbine engine. Similarly, the term “axial distance”may refer to distance measured along the axial direction of gas turbineengine. In one example embodiment, a circumferential distance betweenmutually adjacent through-holes of the plurality of second through-holesis greater than 0.08 inches. For example, the circumferential distancebetween a mutually adjacent through-hole of the first set ofthrough-holes and/or the second set of through-holes is greater than0.08 inches. Similarly, an axial distance between the mutually adjacentthrough-holes of the plurality of second through-holes is greater than0.08 inches. In other words, the axial distance between the mutuallyadjacent through-holes of the first set of through-holes or the secondset of through-holes is greater than 0.08 inches. In some embodiments,an axial distance between the at least one first through-hole and amutually adjacent second through-hole of the plurality of secondthrough-holes is greater than 0.08 inches.

The gas turbine engine further includes a compressor and a combustoroperatively coupled to each other. The combustor includes a casing and acombustor liner disposed within the casing to define a passagewaytherebetween the casing and the combustor liner. The compressor isconfigured to supply the compressed fluid to the combustion chamber andto the passageway. The combustion chamber may be used for i) ignition ofa mixture of fuel and the compressed fluid and ii) directing thecombustion gas to the turbine. In some embodiments, the at least onefirst through-hole is used for discharging a first sub-portion of theportion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into the annularcombustion zone to aid in combustion of an unburned portion of thecombustion gas in the combustion chamber. The plurality of secondthrough-holes is used for discharging a second sub-portion of theportion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into the annularcombustion zone for distributing the second sub-portion of thecompressed fluid around the circumferential plane of the section of thepanel collectively covered by the at least one first through-hole andthe plurality of second through-holes, and purging out the jet wakes.Thus, the plurality of second through-holes is used to regulate jetwakes and production of hot spots therefrom on the section of the panel,thereby preventing overheating of the combustion chamber, and increasingservice life of the combustor chamber. In certain embodiments, theplurality of second through-holes may be used for discharging the secondsub-portion of the compressed fluid to further regulate emission (e.g.,NOx producing zones) from the combustion gas by moving a portion of thecombustion gas dispersed around the at least one first through-hole tothe annular combustion zone, for example, towards a center line axis ofthe combustion chamber. The first and second sub-portions of thecompressed fluid may also be used for regulating an inner spatialtemperature of the section of the panel along the circumferential plane.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a gas turbine engine 10 inaccordance with one example embodiment. The gas turbine engine 10includes a compressor (such as a low-pressure compressor 12 and ahigh-pressure compressor 14), a combustor 16, and a turbine (such as ahigh-pressure turbine 18 and a low-pressure turbine 20) arranged in aserial, axial flow relationship along an axis 11 of the gas turbineengine 10. In some embodiments, the low-pressure compressor 12 and thelow-pressure turbine 20 are coupled to each other via a first shaft 24,and the high-pressure compressor 14 and the high-pressure turbine 18 arecoupled to each other via a second shaft 26. Further, the combustor 16is operatively coupled to the high-pressure compressor 14 and thehigh-pressure turbine 18. It should be noted herein that the term“operatively coupled” as used in the context, is not limited to a directmechanical, electrical, and/or a fluid communication between components,but may also include an indirect mechanical, electrical, and/or fluidcommunication between multiple components. In one embodiment, thecombustor 16 may include a casing and a combustion liner (not shown)disposed within the casing to define a passageway (not shown)therebetween the casing and the combustor liner. In such embodiments,the combustion liner includes a panel, at least one first through-holedisposed on a section of the panel, and a plurality of secondthrough-holes disposed on the section of the panel and adjacent to theat least one first through-hole. The combustor 16 of the presentdisclosure is discussed in greater detail below.

During operation, the low-pressure compressor 12 is configured toreceive fluid, for example, air from an upstream side 28 of gas turbineengine 10 and increase pressure of the fluid to generate a compressedfluid. The high-pressure compressor 14 is configured to receive thecompressed fluid from the low-pressure compressor 12 and furtherincrease pressure of the compressed fluid. In some embodiments, aportion of the compressed fluid is directed to the passageway from thecompressor and another portion of the compressed fluid is directed tothe combustor 16 from the high-pressure compressor 14. The portion ofthe compressed fluid that is directed to the combustor 16 is mixed withfuel and ignited at a combustion zone to generate combustion gas. Theportion of the compressed fluid that is directed to the passageway mayfurther be directed to the combustion zone via the first and secondthrough-holes. In one example embodiment, the at least one firstthrough-hole may be configured to discharge a first sub-portion of theportion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into the combustionzone of the combustor 16 to aid in further ignition (or combustion) ofan unburned portion of the combustion gas. It should be noted hereinthat the step of “discharging the first sub-portion of the compressedfluid into the combustion zone via the at least one first through-hole”may result in formation of jet wakes on the section of the panel, forexample, behind or aft region of the at least one through-hole. In suchexample embodiments, the plurality of second through-holes are disposedin such manner that they discharge a second sub-portion of the portionof the compressed fluid from the passageway into the combustion zone fordistributing the second sub-portion of the portion of the compressedfluid around the circumferential plane of the section of the panel forpurging out the jet wakes. The method for regulating the jet wakes alongthe combustor liner, is discussed in greater detail below. Thecombustion gas generated in the combustor 16 is then directed to theturbine to drive the high-pressure turbine 18 and/or the low-pressureturbine 20. The term “portion of the compressed fluid” used in thecombustion zone 50 refers to a sum of the first sub-portion and thesecond portion of the compressed fluid. The term “first sub-portion” asused in the context refers to a ratio of the compressed fluid that isdischarged into the combustion zone to the portion of the compressedfluid. In some embodiments, the first sub-portion is at least 50 percentof the portion of the compressed fluid. The term “second sub-portion” asused in the context refers to a ratio of the compressed fluid that isdischarged into the combustion zone to the portion of the compressedfluid.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of thecombustor 16 in accordance with one example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the combustor16 includes a casing 30, a combustor liner 32, a dome assembly 34, acowl assembly 36, a swirler assembly 38, and a fuel flowline 40. Thecombustor 16 is operatively coupled to a compressor via a compressordiffuser nozzle 42 and to a turbine (not shown in FIG. 2). In oneexample embodiment, an upstream end 44 of the combustor 16 isoperatively coupled to the compressor and a downstream end 46 of thecombustor 16 is operatively coupled to the turbine. The combustor liner32 is disposed within the casing 30 to define a passageway 48therebetween the casing 30 and the combustor liner 32. The dome assembly34 is disposed at the upstream end 44 of the combustor 16 and includesan opening (not labeled) for receiving and holding the swirler assembly38. The swirler assembly 38 also includes an opening for receiving andholding the fuel flowline 40. In some embodiments, the fuel flowline 40is further coupled to a fuel source disposed outside the casing 30 andconfigured to receive the fuel from the fuel source. The swirlerassembly 38 may include a plurality of swirlers (not shown) configuredto swirl the compressed fluid before injecting it into an annularcombustion zone 50. The fuel flowline 40 is configured to inject thefuel into the annular combustion zone 50, where the compressed fluid ismixed with the fuel and ignited to generate combustion gas. The cowlassembly 36 is configured to hold the combustor liner 32, the swirlerassembly 38, and the dome assembly 34 together.

In one embodiment, the combustor liner 32 includes a panel 52, which isan annular combustion chamber defining the annular combustion zone 50.The panel 52 extends along an axial direction 54 and circumferentialdirection 56 to define the annular combustion zone 50 therebetween. Thepanel 52 extends axially from an upstream end portion 58 of thecombustor liner 32 to a downstream end portion 60 of the combustor liner32. The panel 52 is operatively coupled to the dome assembly 34 and thecowl assembly 36 at the upstream end portion 58. Further, the panel 52is operatively coupled to the turbine at the downstream end portion 60.In the embodiment of FIG. 2, only a portion of the panel 52 is shown forease of illustration and such an illustration should not be construed asa limitation of the present disclosure. In one example embodiment, thepanel 52 is manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques. In oneexample embodiment, the panel 52 is a monolithic component, i.e., acomponent manufactured as a single piece.

In one embodiment, the combustor liner 32 includes at least one firstthrough-hole 62 disposed on a section 52 a of the panel 52 in a firstrow (not labeled) extending along the circumferential direction 56. Thecombustor liner 32 further includes a plurality of second through-holes72 disposed on the section 52 a of the panel 52. The plurality of secondthrough-holes 72 is spaced apart from each other along the axialdirection 54 and circumferential direction 56. The plurality of secondthrough-holes 72 is arranged adjacent to the at least one firstthrough-hole 62. Further, the plurality of second through-holes 72includes a first set of through-holes 72 a arranged in a second row (notlabeled), and a second set of through-holes 72 b arranged in a third row(not labeled) different from the second row. The second and third rowsmay be extending along the circumferential direction 56. The at leastone first through-hole 62 and the plurality of second through-holes 72collectively cover a circumferential plane 56 a of the section 52 a ofthe panel 52 along the first, second, and third rows. In someembodiments, the at least one first through-hole 62 and each of theplurality of second through-holes 72 extend normal to the panel 52. Insome other embodiments, the at least one first through-hole 62 and eachof the plurality of second through-holes 72 may be inclined relative tothe panel 52. The arrangement of the at least one first through-hole 62and the plurality of second through-holes 72 are discussed in greaterdetails below.

During operation, the compressor diffuser nozzle 42 is configured todirect a compressed fluid 66 from the compressor to the combustor. Insuch an example embodiment, a portion 70 of the compressed fluid 66 isdirected towards the passageway 48 defined between the casing 30 and thecombustor liner 32. Further, another portion 68 of the compressed fluid66 is directed towards the swirler assembly 38. The swirler assembly 38may be configured to impart swirling motion to the other portion 68 ofthe compressed fluid 66 before directing the other portion 68 into theannular combustion zone 50 (or annular combustion chamber). Further, thefuel flowline 40 is configured to direct a fuel 76 into the annularcombustion zone 50, where the fuel 76 is mixed with the other portion 68before igniting the mixture in the annular combustion zone 50 togenerate combustion gas 78. The combustor liner 32 is configured todirect the combustion gas 78 from the upstream end portion 58 to thedownstream end portion 60. In one embodiment, the combustion gas 78 mayhave some unburned portion 78 a of the fuel 76 in the combustion gas 78.In such example embodiments, the at least one first through-hole 62 isconfigured to direct a first sub-portion 70 a of the portion 70 of thecompressed fluid 66 from the passageway 48 into the annular combustionzone 50 so as to aid in further combustion (oxidation) of the unburnedportion 78 a of the fuel 76 in the combustion gas 78. The plurality ofsecond through-holes 72 is configured to direct a second sub-portion 70b of the portion 70 of the compressed fluid 66 from the passageway 48into the annular combustion zone 50 so as to distribute the secondsub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluid 66 around the circumferentialplane 56 a of the section 52 a of the panel 52 collectively covered bythe at least one first through-hole 62 and the plurality of secondthrough-holes 72 and purge out jet wakes. A portion of the secondsub-portion 70 b further enters the annular combustion zone 50 from thecircumferential plane 56 a to aid in combustion of the unburned portion78 a of the fuel 76 in the combustion gas 78. The combustor liner 32 isconfigured to direct the combustion gas 78 from the downstream endportion 60 to the turbine (not shown). In certain embodiments, theturbine may be configured to extract energy from the combustion gas 78for powering the compressor, as well as producing useful work to propelan aircraft or to power a load such as an electrical generator.

The at least one first through-hole 62 is sized and designed such thatthe first sub-portion 70 a of the portion 70 of the compressed fluid 66is directed into the annular combustion zone 50 for aiding combustion(oxidation) of the unburned portion 78 a of the fuel 76 in thecombustion gas 78. Similarly, the plurality of second through-holes 72is sized and designed such that the second sub-portion 70 b of theportion 70 of the compressed fluid 66 is directed into the annularcombustion zone 50 to diffuse around the inner surface of section 52 aof the panel 52 for purging out the jet wakes, which may have formedaround the at least one first through-hole 62, for example, at an aftregion of the at least one first through-hole 62. In such exampleembodiments, the purging out of the jet wakes may result in i)preventing formation of hot spots on the section 52 a of the panel andii) moving a portion (i.e., the unburned portion 78 a) of the combustiongas 78 dispersed around the at least one first through-hole 62 to theannular combustion zone 50. This results in regulating i) an innerspatial temperature of the section 52 a of the panel 52 along thecircumferential plane 56 a, ii) emission from the combustion gas 78, andiii) formation of an NOx forming zone at the circumferential plane 56 a.In some embodiments, a flow of the portion 70 of the compressed fluid 66along the passageway 48 may further result in cooling the outer surfaceof the combustor liner 32, and a flow of the first sub-portion 70 a andthe second sub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluid 66 into the annularcombustion zone 50 may result in further cooling the inner surface ofthe combustor liner 32, thereby regulating the temperature of thecombustion chamber.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a section 52 a of a panel 52of a combustor liner 32 in accordance with one example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In one embodiment, the combustor liner 32 furtherincludes at least one first through-hole 62 and a plurality of secondthrough-holes 72.

In one embodiment, the at least one first through-hole 62 is disposed onthe section 52 a of the panel 52 in a first row 80 extending along thecircumferential direction 56. In other words, the at least one firstthrough-hole 62 is located on at least the section 52 a of the panel 52.In one embodiment, the first row 80 encompasses the at least one firstthrough-hole 62 such that the at least one first through-hole 62 and thefirst row 80 have a substantially same centerline 82. It should be notedherein that the term “centerline” as used in the context refer to a lineextending along the middle of the first row 80 and/or the firstthrough-hole 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one firstthrough-hole 62 is a circular through-hole. In some other embodiments,the at least one first through-hole 62 may be a non-circularthrough-hole, for example, a square shaped through-hole, a rectangularshaped through-hole, an oval shaped through-hole, an elliptical shapedthrough-hole, race-track through-hole, or the like. The at least onefirst through-hole 62 has a first width “W₁”.

In one embodiment, the plurality of second through-holes 72 is disposedon the section 52 a of the panel 52. In other words, the plurality ofsecond through-holes 72 is located on at least the section 52 a of thepanel 52. The plurality of second through-holes 72 is spaced apart fromeach other along an axial direction 54 and the circumferential direction56, and arranged adjacent to the at least one first through-hole 62. Insome embodiments, the plurality of second through-holes 72 includes afirst set of through-holes 72 a and a second set of through-holes 72 b.The first set of through-holes 72 a is arranged in a second row 84 andthe second set of through-holes 72 b is arranged in a third row 88different from the second row 84. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond and third rows 84, 88 extend along the circumferential direction56. In the illustrated embodiment, the second row 84 overlaps with thefirst row 80 such that the centerlines 82, 85 of the first and secondrows 80, 84 are substantially same. In one embodiment, the second row 84encompasses the first set of through-holes 72 a such that the first setof through-holes 72 a and the second row 84 have the substantially samecenterline 85. Similarly, the third row 88 encompasses the second set ofthrough-holes 72 b such than a centerline 86 (i.e., a major axis) of thesecond set of through-holes 72 b passes along a centerline 89 of thethird row 88. In one embodiment, at least one through-hole of theplurality of second through-holes 72 is a circular hole. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, each through-hole of the first set ofthrough-holes 72 a is a circular through-hole and each through-hole ofthe second set of through-holes 72 b is a non-circular through-hole. Insome other embodiments, at least one through-hole of the first set ofthrough-holes 72 a may be a non-circular through-hole. Similarly, atleast one through-hole of the second set of through-holes 72 b may be acircular hole. In one embodiment, each through-hole of the first set ofthrough-holes 72 a has a second width “W₂”. In some other embodiments,each through-hole of the first set of through-holes 72 a may havedifferent width. In the illustrated embodiment, the second width “W₂” isdifferent from the first width “W₁”. For example, the first width “W₁”is greater than the second width “W₂”. In the illustrated embodiment,each through-hole of the second set of through-holes 72 b is anelliptical through-hole. In some other embodiments, the othernon-circular through-hole may include a square-shaped through-hole, arectangular shaped through-hole, an oval shaped through-hole, arace-track through-hole, or the like. In one embodiment, the major axis86 is inclined at an angle “α₁” relative to a longitudinal axis (i.e.,along an axial direction 54 of the gas turbine engine or an axial flowdirection of combustion gas). In the illustrated embodiment, the angle“α₁” is 90 degrees.

In one embodiment, a circumferential distance “S₁” between mutuallyadjacent through-holes of the plurality of second through-holes 72 isgreater than 0.08 inches. For example, the circumferential distance “S₁”between the mutually adjacent through-holes of the first set ofthrough-holes 72 a is greater than 0.08 inches. In the illustratedembodiment, the circumferential distance “S₁” is measured between aclosest edge of the mutually adjacent through-holes of the first set ofthrough-holes 72 a. Similarly, an axial distance “S₂” between themutually adjacent through-holes of the plurality of second through-holes72 is greater than 0.08 inches. For example, the axial distance “S₂”between the mutually adjacent through-holes of the first and second setof through-holes 72 a, 72 b is greater than 0.08 inches. In theillustrated embodiment, the axial distance “S₂” is measured between aclosest edge of the mutually adjacent through-holes of the first andsecond set of through-holes 72 a, 72 b. Further, an axial distance “S₃”between the at least one first through-hole 62 and a mutually adjacentsecond through-hole 72 a of the plurality of second through-holes 72 isgreater than 0.08 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the axialdistance “S₃” is measured between a closest edge of the one firstthrough-hole 62 and a closest edge of the mutually adjacent second setof through-hole 72 b. It should be noted herein that width of the rows80, 84, 88 are greater than the width of the respective through-holes62, 72 a, 72 b. For example, the width of the first row 80 is greaterthan the first width “W₁” of the at least one first through-hole 62 andthe width of the second row 84 is greater than the second width “W₂” ofthe first set of through-holes 72 a.

In one or more embodiments, the at least one first through-hole 62 andthe plurality of second through-holes 72 collectively cover acircumferential plane 56 a of the section 52 a of the panel 52 along thefirst, second, and third rows 80, 84, 88 such that the combustion gashas no see through of the portion of the panel 52 corresponding to thecircumferential plane 56 a. In other words, the first and secondsub-portions of the compressed fluid directed from the at least onefirst through-hole 62 and the plurality of second through-holes 72prevents the combustion gas to contact an inner surface of the portionof the panel corresponding to the circumferential plane 56 a, therebyresulting in purging out jet wakes and stopping formation of hot spotsalong the circumferential plane 56 a. Flow pattern of the compressedfluid and the combustion gas along the section 52 a of the panel 52 arediscussed in greater details below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a section 52 b of a panel 52of a combustor liner 32 in accordance with another example embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Further, referring to the FIG. 2, the combustorliner 32 may include another section 52 b of the panel 52. The section52 b of the panel 52 includes a plurality of first through-hole 64 and aplurality of second through-holes 74. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 4, the plurality of first through-hole 64 is disposed on thesection 52 b of the panel 52 in a first row 80 extending along thecircumferential direction 56. The plurality of second through-holes 74is disposed on the section 52 b of the panel 52. The plurality of secondthrough-holes 74 is spaced apart from each other along the axialdirection 54 and the circumferential direction 56, and arranged adjacentto the plurality of first through-hole 64. The plurality of secondthrough-holes 74 includes a first set of through-holes 74 a arranged ina second row 84 and a second set of through-holes 74 b arranged in athird row 88 different from the second row 84. The second and third rows84, 88 extend along the circumferential direction 56. The plurality offirst through-holes 64 and the plurality of second through-holes 74collectively cover a circumferential plane 56 b of the section 52 b ofthe panel 52 along the first, second, and third rows 80, 84, 88.

In one embodiment, the first row 80 encompasses the plurality of firstthrough-holes 64 such that the plurality of first through-holes 64 thefirst row 80 have a same centerline 82. In the illustrated embodiment,each of the plurality of first through-holes 64 is a circularthrough-hole. In some other embodiments, at least one of the pluralityof first through-holes 64 may be a non-circular through-hole, forexample, a square-shaped through-hole, a rectangular shapedthrough-hole, an oval shaped through-hole, a race-track through-hole, orthe like.

In the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the second row 84 or thethird row 88 partially overlaps with the first row 80. In oneembodiment, the second row 84 encompasses the first set of through-holes74 a such that a centerline 92 (i.e., a major axis) of each through-holeof the first set of through-holes 74 a does not passes along acenterline 85 of the second row 84. Similarly, the third row 88encompasses the second set of through-holes 74 b such than a centerline86 (i.e., a major axis) of the second set of through-holes 74 b passesalong a centerline 89 of the third row 88. In one embodiment, at leastone through-hole of the plurality of second through-holes 74 is anon-circular hole. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, eachthrough-hole of the first set of through-holes 74 a and the second setof through-holes 74 b is a non-circular through-hole. In some otherembodiments, at least one through-hole of the first set of through-holes74 a and the second set of through-holes 74 b may be a circularthrough-hole. In the illustrated embodiment, each through-hole of thefirst and second set of through-holes 74 a, 74 b is an ellipticalthrough-hole. In one embodiment, each through-hole of the second set ofthrough-holes 74 b has the major axis 86 inclined at an angle “α₁”relative to a longitudinal axis (i.e., along an axial direction 54 ofthe gas turbine engine or an axial flow direction of combustion gas). Inthe illustrated embodiment, the angle “α₁” is 90 degrees. Further, eachthrough-hole of the second set of through-holes 74 b has a first width“W₁” extending along a minor axis of the corresponding through-hole. Inone embodiment, each through-hole of the first set of through-holes 74 ahas the major axis 92. For example, two through-holes 74 a ₁ of thefirst set of through-holes 74 a has a major axis 92 a, which is inclinedat a second angle “α₂” relative to the longitudinal axis and twothrough-holes 74 a ₂ of the first set of through-holes 74 a has a majoraxis 92 b, which is inclined at a third angle “α₃” relative to thelongitudinal axis. The third angle “α₃” is different from the secondangle “α₂”. In one embodiment, the second angle “α₂” and the third angle“α₃” may be in a range from 20 degrees to 160 degrees. For example, thesecond angle “α₂” is 150 degrees and the third angle “α₃” is 30 degrees.In some other embodiments, the other non-circular through-hole mayinclude a square-shaped through-hole, a rectangular shaped through-hole,an oval shaped through-hole, or a race-track through-hole, or the like.Further, each through-hole of the first set of through-holes 74 a has asecond width “W₂” extending along a minor axis of the correspondingthrough-hole. Similarly, each through-hole of the second set ofthrough-holes 74 b has a third width “W₃” extending along a minor axisof the corresponding through-hole. In some embodiments, the second width“W₂” is different from the third width “W₃”. In the illustratedembodiment, the second width “W₂” is substantially same as the thirdwidth “W₃”. Further, the first width “W₁” may be different from thesecond width “W₂” and/or the third width “W₃”. In the illustratedembodiment, the first width “W₁” is greater than the second width “W₂”and/or the third width “W₃”.

In one embodiment, a circumferential distance “S₁” (i.e., distancemeasured along circumferential direction 56) between mutually adjacentthrough-holes of the plurality of second through-holes 74 is greaterthan 0.08 inches. For example, the circumferential distance “S₁” betweenthe mutually adjacent through-holes of the first set of through-holes 74a is greater than 0.08 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, thecircumferential distance “S₁” is measured between a closest edge of themutually adjacent through-holes of the first set of through-holes 74 a.Similarly, an axial distance “S₂” (i.e., distance measured along axialdirection 54) between the mutually adjacent through-holes of theplurality of second through-holes 74 is greater than 0.08 inches. In theillustrated embodiment, the axial distance “S₂” is measured between aclosest edge of the mutually adjacent through-holes of the plurality ofsecond through-holes 74. For example, the axial distance “S₂” betweenthe mutually adjacent through-holes of the first and second set ofthrough-holes 74 a, 74 b is greater than 0.08 inches. Further, acircumferential distance “S₄” between mutually adjacent through-holes ofthe plurality of first through-holes 64 is greater than 1.5 hydraulicdiameter of a through-hole of the plurality of first through-holes 64.In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential distance “S₄” ismeasured between a closest edge of the plurality of first through-holes64.

Although not illustrated, in certain embodiments, the panel 52 includesthe plurality of first through-holes 64 spaced apart from each otheralong the circumferential direction 56 and arranged in the first row 80.In such an embodiment, the plurality of second through-holes 74 isdisposed proximate to the plurality of first through-holes 64 such thatthe plurality of first and second through-holes 64, 74 may collectivelycover the circumferential plane of the entire panel 52 along the first,second, and third rows 80, 84, 88.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a computational fluid dynamicssimulation depicting a fluid flow pattern 94 along the section 52 b ofthe panel 52 in accordance with the example embodiment of FIG. 4. In theembodiment of FIG. 5 only a portion of the section 52 b is shown forease of illustration and such an illustration should not be construed asa limitation of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment,the portion of the section 52 b includes one first through-hole 64 andthe plurality of second through-holes 74. In such an example embodiment,the plurality of second through-holes 74 includes two first set ofthrough-holes 74 a and two second set of through-holes 74 b.

As discussed, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the combustion gas 78 flowsfrom the upstream end portion of the combustor liner 32 to thedownstream end of the combustor liner 32. The first through-hole 64directs the first sub-portion 70 a of the compressed fluid in a radialdirection 55 of the gas turbine engine, from the passageway into theannular combustion zone 50. The first sub-portion 70 a of the compressedfluid is used to further aid in combustion of an unburned portion of thefluid and fuel mixture in the combustion gas. In the illustratedembodiment, directing the first sub-portion 70 a of the compressed fluidmay result in formation of jet wakes at an aft region 96 of the firstthrough-hole 64. In such an example embodiment, the plurality of secondthrough-holes 74 directs the second sub-portion 70 b of the compressedfluid to distribute the second sub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluidaround the circumferential plane 56 b of the section 52 b of the panel52 collectively covered by the first through-hole 64 and the pluralityof second through-holes 74 and purge out the jet wakes. In one exampleembodiment, the first set of through-holes 74 a may disperse the secondsub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluid to purge out the jet wakesformed at the aft region 95 of the first through-hole 64, and the secondset of through-holes 74 b may disperse the second sub-portion 70 b ofthe compressed fluid to cover the circumferential plane 56 b of thesection 52 b of the panel 52 so as to prevent the combustion gas 78 tohave a see through of an inner surface of the section 52 b of the panel52 along the circumferential plane 56 b. In accordance to one or moreembodiments, the second sub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluid maythus prevent formation of hot spots in the aft region 96 and thusregulate an inner spatial temperature of the section 52 b of the panel52 along the circumferential plane. Further, the second sub-portion 70 bof the compressed fluid may move a portion of the combustion gas 78dispersed around the first through-hole 64 to the annular combustionzone 50, thereby resulting in regulating emission from the combustiongas and NOx producing zones.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a section 52 c of a panel 52of a combustor liner 32 in accordance with yet another exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the combustorliner 32 includes a plurality of first through-holes 102 and a pluralityof second through-holes 104. The plurality of first through-holes 102 isdisposed on the section 52 c of the panel 52 in a first row 80 extendingalong a circumferential direction 56. The plurality of secondthrough-holes 104 is disposed on the section 52 c of the panel 52.Further, the plurality of second through-holes 104 is spaced apart fromeach other along the axial direction 54 and the circumferentialdirection 56, and arranged adjacent to the plurality of firstthrough-holes 102. The plurality of second through-holes 104 includes afirst set of through-holes 104 a and a second set of through-holes 104b. In some other embodiments, the plurality of second through-holes 104may include a third set of through-holes and a fourth set ofthrough-holes depending on the application and design criteria. Thefirst set of through-holes 104 a is arranged in a second row 84 and thesecond set of through-holes 104 b is arranged in a third row 88different from the second row 84. The second and third rows 84, 88extend along the circumferential direction 56. In the illustratedembodiment, the second row 84 overlaps with the first row 80 and thethird row 88 partially overlaps with the first row 80. The plurality offirst through-holes 102 and the plurality of second through-holes 104collectively cover a circumferential plane 56 c of the section 52 c ofthe panel 52 along the first, second, and third rows 80, 84, 88.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 each through-hole of the first set ofthrough-holes 104 a and each through-hole of the first set ofthrough-holes 74 a have a same centerline axis 82. In the illustratedembodiment, the centerline 82 is inclined at an angle “α₁” relative to alongitudinal axis (i.e., along an axial direction 54 of the gas turbineengine or an axial flow direction of combustion gas). In the illustratedembodiment, the angle “α₁” is 90 degrees. Further, each through-hole ofthe first set of through-holes 104 a has a first width “W₁” extendingalong a minor axis of the corresponding through-hole. Similarly, eachthrough-hole of the second set of through-holes 104 b has a second width“W₂” extending along a minor axis of the corresponding through-hole. Inone embodiment, the first width “W₁” is different from the second width“W₂”. In the illustrated embodiment, the first width “W₁” is greaterthan the second width “W₂”. As discussed, in the embodiment of FIGS.1-6, the plurality of second through-holes 104 is configured todischarge a second sub-portion of the compressed fluid from a passagewayinto an annular combustion zone to distribute the second sub-portion ofthe compressed fluid around the circumferential plane 56 c of thesection 52 c of the panel 52 collectively covered by the plurality offirst and second through-holes 102, 104 and purge out the jet wakes.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a section 52 d of a panel 52of a combustor liner 32 in accordance with yet another exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the combustorliner 32 further includes a plurality of first through-holes 112 and aplurality of second through-holes 114. The plurality of firstthrough-holes 112 is disposed on the section 52 d of the panel 52 in afirst row 80 extending along a circumferential direction 56. Theplurality of second through-holes 114 is disposed on the section 52 d ofthe panel 52. Further, the plurality of second through-holes 114 isspaced apart from each other along the axial direction 54 and thecircumferential direction 56, and arranged adjacent to the plurality offirst through-holes 112. The plurality of second through-holes 114includes a first set of through-holes 114 a and a second set ofthrough-holes 114 b. The first set of through-holes 114 a is arranged ina second row 84 and the second set of through-holes 114 b is arranged ina third row 88 different from the second row 84. The second and thirdrows 84, 88 extend along the circumferential direction 56. In theillustrated embodiment, the second row 84 partially overlaps with thefirst row 80 and the third row 88 overlaps with the first row 80. Theplurality of first through-holes 112 and the plurality of secondthrough-holes 114 collectively cover a circumferential plane 56 d of thesection 52 d of the panel 52 along the first, second, and third rows 80,84, 88. The embodiment of FIG. 7 is substantially similar to theembodiment of FIG. 4, wherein at least one through-hole of the pluralityof first through-holes 112 is a non-circular hole. For example, in theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, each through-hole of the plurality offirst through-holes 112 is a rectangular hole. As discussed, in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the plurality of second through-holes 114 isconfigured to discharge a second sub-portion of the compressed fluidfrom a passageway into an annular combustion zone to distribute thesecond sub-portion of the compressed fluid around the circumferentialplane 56 d of the section 52 c of the panel 52 collectively covered bythe plurality of first and second through-holes 112, 114 and purge outthe jet wakes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a section 52 e of a panel 52of a combustor liner 32 in accordance with yet another exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the combustorliner 32 further includes a plurality of first through-holes 113 and aplurality of second through-holes 115. The plurality of firstthrough-holes 113 is disposed on the section 52 e of the panel 52 in afirst row 81 extending along a circumferential direction 56. Theplurality of second through-holes 115 is disposed on the section 52 e ofthe panel 52. Further, the plurality of second through-holes 115 isspaced apart from each other along the axial direction 54 and thecircumferential direction 56, and arranged adjacent to the plurality offirst through-holes 113. The plurality of second through-holes 115includes a first set of through-holes 115 a and a second set ofthrough-holes 115 b. The first set of through-holes 115 a is arranged ina second row 85 and the second set of through-holes 115 b is arranged ina third row 89 different from the second row 85. The second and thirdrows 85, 89 extend along the circumferential direction 56. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, at least one through-hole of the firstset of through-holes 115 a is a collection of discrete first holes 115 a₁. Similarly, at least one through-hole of the second set ofthrough-holes 115 b is a collection of discrete second holes 115 b ₁. Asdiscussed, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the plurality of secondthrough-holes 115 is configured to discharge a second sub-portion of thecompressed fluid from a passageway into an annular combustion zone todistribute the second sub-portion of the compressed fluid around thecircumferential plane 56 e of the section 52 e of the panel 52collectively covered by the plurality of first and second through-holes113, 115 and purge out the jet wakes.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting a temperature profile120 within a conventional panel 122 i.e., in a combustion zone 150defined between an upper and lower panel sections 122 a, 122 b of theconventional panel 122. In the illustrated embodiment, a flow of thecombustion gas 178 is scattered along the inner surfaces of sections 122a, 122 b of the panel 122. Similarly, a flow of the compressed fluid 170from a plurality of openings (not shown) may result in leaving behindjet wakes 180 at aft regions of the plurality of openings, therebyresulting in forming hot spots along the sections 122 a, 122 b andspatial temperature 184 along a circumferential plane 126 ab of thepanel 122. Further, the jet wakes 180 may further result in formation ofNOx production zones, thereby increasing the emission of the combustiongas 178.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting a temperature profile200 within a panel 52 in accordance with one example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, a flow of thecombustion gas 78 is concentrated along a mid-region of an annularcombustion zone 50, which is substantially away from inner surfaces ofpanel sections 52 a, 52 b of the panel 52. Similarly, flow of the firstsub-portion 70 a of a compressed fluid via either at least one firstthrough-hole or a plurality of first through-holes (not shown) mayresult in aiding the combustion of unburned portion of fuel and fluidmixture at the mid-region of the annular combustion zone 50. Similarly,flow of second sub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluid via a pluralityof second through-holes purges out jet wakes at aft regions of at leastone first through-hole or each through hole of the plurality of firstthrough-holes, thereby resulting in preventing formation of hot spotsalong the panel sections 52 a, 52 b and regulating spatial temperaturealong a circumferential plane 56 ab of the panel 52. Further, the secondsub-portion 70 b of the compressed fluid may further result in move thecombustion gas to the mid-region of the annular combustion zone 50,thereby prevention NOx production zones and decreasing emission of thecombustion gas 78.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for regulating jetwakes in a combustor in accordance with one example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In one embodiment, the method 200 includes a step202 of directing a portion of a compressed fluid from a compressor intoa passageway defined between a casing and a combustor liner of thecombustor. In some embodiments, the portion of the compressed fluid maybe used for cooling the combustor liner. Further, the method 200includes a step 204 of directing a combustion gas along an annularcombustion zone defined by a panel of the combustor liner. In suchembodiments, the combustion may be configured to receive another portionof the compressed fluid from the compressor and a fuel from a fuelsource. The combustor may be further configured to ignite a mixture ofthe fuel and the other portion of the compressed fluid to generate thecombustion gas. The method 200 further includes a step 206 ofdischarging a first sub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluidfrom the passageway into the annular combustion zone via at least onefirst through-hole to aid in further combustion (i.e., ignition) of anunburned portion of the combustion gas. In one or more embodiments, theat least one first through-hole is disposed on at least a section of thepanel in a first row extending along a circumferential direction. Themethod 200 further includes a step 208 of discharging a secondsub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluid from the passagewayinto the annular combustion zone via a plurality of second through-holesto distribute the second sub-portion around a circumferential plane ofthe section of the panel collectively covered by the at least one firstthrough-hole and the plurality of second through-holes, and purging outthe jet wakes. Thus, the plurality of second through-holes is used toregulate jet wakes and production of hot spots therefrom on the sectionof the panel, thereby preventing overheating of the combustion chamber,and increasing service life of the combustor chamber. In certainembodiments, the plurality of second through-holes may be used fordischarging the second sub-portion of the compressed fluid to furtherregulate emission (e.g., NOx producing zones) from the combustion gas bymoving a portion of the combustion gas dispersed around the at least onefirst through-hole to the annular combustion zone, for example, towardsa center line axis of the combustion chamber. In one or moreembodiments, the plurality of second through-holes is disposed on thesection of the panel, spaced apart from each other along an axialdirection and the circumferential direction, and arranged adjacent tothe at least one first through-hole. The plurality of secondthrough-holes comprises a first set of through-holes and a second set ofthrough-holes. The first set of through-holes is arranged in a secondrow and the second set of through-holes is arranged in a third rowdifferent from the second row. The second and third rows extend alongthe circumferential direction.

While only certain features of embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedembodiments are intended to cover all such modifications and changes asfalling within the spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for regulating jet wakes in acombustor, comprising: directing a portion of a compressed fluid from acompressor into a passageway defined between a casing and a combustorliner of the combustor; directing a combustion gas along an annularcombustion zone defined by a panel of the combustor liner; discharging afirst sub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluid from thepassageway into the annular combustion zone via at least one firstthrough-hole to aid in further combustion of an unburned portion of thecombustion gas, wherein the at least one first through-hole is disposedon at least a section of the panel in a first row extending along acircumferential direction; and discharging a second sub-portion of theportion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into the annularcombustion zone via a plurality of second through-holes to distributethe second sub-portion around a circumferential plane of the section ofthe panel collectively covered by the at least one first through-holeand the plurality of second through-holes, and purging out the jetwakes, wherein the plurality of second through-holes is disposed on thesection of the panel, spaced apart from each other along an axialdirection and the circumferential direction, and arranged adjacent tothe at least one first through-hole, wherein the plurality of secondthrough-holes comprises a first set of through-holes and a second set ofthrough-holes, wherein the first set of through-holes is arranged in asecond row and the second set of through-holes is arranged in a thirdrow different from the second row, wherein the second and third rowsextend along the circumferential direction, and wherein the second rowoverlaps with the first row.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindischarging the second sub-portion of the portion of the compressedfluid further comprises regulating emission from the combustion gas bymoving a portion of the combustion gas dispersed around the at least onefirst through-hole to the annular combustion zone.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein discharging the first sub-portion and the secondsub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluid further compriseregulating an inner spatial temperature of the section of the panelalong the circumferential plane.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereindischarging the second sub-portion of the portion of the compressedfluid comprises distributing the second sub-portion via the plurality ofsecond through-holes around the circumferential plane of the panelcollectively covered by a plurality of first through-holes and theplurality of second through-holes, wherein the plurality of firstthrough-holes is spaced apart from each other along the circumferentialdirection and arranged in the first row.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the third row partially overlaps with the first row.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or more through-holes of the at least onefirst through-hole or the plurality of second through-holes is acircular through-hole.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein one or morethrough-holes of the at least one first through-hole or the plurality ofsecond through-holes is a non-circular through-hole, wherein thenon-circular through-hole comprises a major axis inclined at an anglerelative to a longitudinal axis, and wherein the angle is in range from20 degrees to 160 degrees.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein acircumferential distance between mutually adjacent through-holes of theplurality of second through-holes is greater than 0.08 inches, whereinan axial distance between the mutually adjacent through-holes of theplurality of second through-holes is greater than 0.08 inches, andwherein an axial distance between the at least one first through-holeand a mutually adjacent second through-hole of the plurality of secondthrough-holes is greater than 0.08 inches.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the panel comprises a plurality of first through-holes spacedapart from each other along the circumferential direction and arrangedin the first row, wherein the plurality of first and secondthrough-holes collectively cover the circumferential plane of the panelalong the first, second, and third rows.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein a circumferential distance between mutually adjacentthrough-holes of the plurality of first through-holes is greater than1.5 hydraulic diameter of a through-hole of the plurality of firstthrough-holes.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the compressor and thecombustor are parts of a gas turbine engine.
 12. A method for regulatingjet wakes in a combustor, comprising: directing a portion of acompressed fluid from a compressor into a passageway defined between acasing and a combustor liner of the combustor; directing a combustiongas along an annular combustion zone defined by a panel of the combustorliner; discharging a first sub-portion of the portion of the compressedfluid from the passageway into the annular combustion zone via at leastone first through-hole to aid in further combustion of an unburnedportion of the combustion gas, wherein the at least one firstthrough-hole is disposed on at least a section of the panel in a firstrow extending along a circumferential direction; and discharging asecond sub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluid from thepassageway into the annular combustion zone via a plurality of secondthrough-holes to distribute the second sub-portion around acircumferential plane of the section of the panel collectively coveredby the at least one first through-hole and the plurality of secondthrough-holes, and purging out the jet wakes, wherein the plurality ofsecond through-holes is disposed on the section of the panel, spacedapart from each other along an axial direction and the circumferentialdirection, and arranged adjacent to the at least one first through-hole,wherein the plurality of second through-holes comprises a first set ofthrough-holes and a second set of through-holes, wherein the first setof through-holes is arranged in a second row and the second set ofthrough-holes is arranged in a third row different from the second row,wherein the second and third rows extend along the circumferentialdirection, and wherein at least one of the second row or the third rowpartially overlaps with the first row.
 13. A method for regulating jetwakes in a combustor, comprising: directing a portion of a compressedfluid from a compressor into a passageway defined between a casing and acombustor liner of the combustor; directing a combustion gas along anannular combustion zone defined by a panel of the combustor liner;discharging a first sub-portion of the portion of the compressed fluidfrom the passageway into the annular combustion zone via at least onefirst through-hole to aid in further combustion of an unburned portionof the combustion gas, wherein the at least one first through-hole isdisposed on at least a section of the panel in a first row extendingalong a circumferential direction; and discharging a second sub-portionof the portion of the compressed fluid from the passageway into theannular combustion zone via a plurality of second through-holes todistribute the second sub-portion around a circumferential plane of thesection of the panel collectively covered by the at least one firstthrough-hole and the plurality of second through-holes, and purging outthe jet wakes, wherein the plurality of second through-holes is disposedon the section of the panel, spaced apart from each other along an axialdirection and the circumferential direction, and arranged adjacent tothe at least one first through-hole, wherein the plurality of secondthrough-holes comprises a first set of through-holes and a second set ofthrough-holes, wherein the first set of through-holes is arranged in asecond row and the second set of through-holes is arranged in a thirdrow different from the second row, wherein the second and third rowsextend along the circumferential direction, and wherein the panelcomprises a plurality of first through-holes spaced apart from eachother along the circumferential direction and arranged in the first row,wherein the plurality of first and second through-holes collectivelycover the circumferential plane of the panel along the first, second,and third rows.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a circumferentialdistance between mutually adjacent through-holes of the plurality offirst through-holes is greater than 1.5 hydraulic diameter of athrough-hole of the plurality of first through-holes.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the compressor and the combustor are parts of a gasturbine engine.